1. Mark 2:1-12 (Matthew 9:1-8 & Luke 5: 16-26)
Jesus heals a
paralysed man

2. Overview Setting the scene The man and his friends
Jesus gets to the root of the problem
The Pharisees and teachers struggle with Jesus
So what

3. Setting the scene (Verse 1)
Jesus returns home to Capernaum
The people crowded to see Him
Attitudes of heart
Luke 5:17 Pharisees and teachers
The house was full
People were crowding outside too
Jesus was preaching to them
As soon as they heard he was back, the people flocked to Jesus
Pharisees and teachers from all over Galilee and also from Judea and Jerusalem

4. The man and his friends (Verses 2-4)
They believed Jesus could help
They wanted their friend to be healed
They took him to see Jesus
They refused to be put off by the crowds
Went on to the roof
Broke through and lowered him down
Study 1 – calling of the disciples – Come and see – Andrew went and found his brother Simon, and Philip fond Nathaniel – Come and see
Parable of the persistent widow – Luke 18

5. Jesus gets to the root of the problem (Verses 5 &10b-12)
Jesus saw their faith
“Your sins are forgiven”
Sickness and hardship are not necessarily caused by sin (John 9:3) but can be
Everyone has a sin problem
The man was healed
The people were amazed
Mental heath issues
Your sin problem affects your life – robs you of your peace, fills you with guilt, affects your relationships, destroys your relationship with God and leads to death

6. The Pharisees and teachers struggle with Jesus
Jesus didn’t back away from speaking the truth
They thought… Jesus knew their thoughts
He is blaspheming – Only God can forgive sins
Which is easier?
Jesus (and Mark) wanted them to
know that He can forgive sins
The Pharisees and teachers were right!
Their understanding of Messiah from the old testament did not lead them to understand that he would forgive sins and they didn’t recognise that he was God
How do we react when out deeply held assumptions ao beliefs are challenged by the person of Jesus or by the Bible

7. So what Why have we come here today? What is our attitude?
Are we praying for God’s help to faithfully preach the word?
Do we really believe that Jesus can help our friends?
Do we really want them to be healed?
Are we willing to go to any lengths to take them to see Jesus
Are we willing to be inconvenienced by those who want to see Jesus?
Are we praying that God will amaze (and terrify) our community?
Are we willing to speak the truth, even if it is controversial
How do we react when our thoughts and ideas are challenged?
Will you receive Jesus healing today?
Matt 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

8. Questions and comments?